Associated Press

Milwaukee Brewers' Jonathan Lucroy (20) leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage.

The Brewers have been alone or tied for first place in the NL Central every day since April 5. Should they hang on and make the postseason for the first time since 2011, what are the chances of the Brewers making a run deep in October? »Read Full Article

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This team is not built for a deep playoff run, even with the addition of a top-of-the-rotation ace. The biggest problem is a lack of discipline at the plate (as well as on the bases). This bunch of "free swingers" will get themselves out (by swinging at pitches out of the zone) against top flight pitching. The bullpen is also showing signs faltering due to overuse. They also seem to lack the mental toughness necessary to play well into October. This is primarily attributable to the meek and timid personality of their manager, whose lack of tenacity makes him ideally suited to coach your son's T-ball team, or your daughter's softball squad.

The club was 1/2 game out for about 3 hours ... thus they haven't been in 1st place since April 5th.

Yes, this team is built to make a run - because they have proven to be able to string together several games of excellent baseball. They would have to get hot during the playoffs ... but yes, they at least have shown they can stay hot for 8,9,10 games.

However, let's face it ... it's been a bummer to see them become mediocre for the past 6 weeks. The problem is pitching. I know they have had some games not scoring much .. but that is actually common. Most teams don't keep scoring 5-6 runs every night.

It's pitching that keeps teams from losing streaks ... and it's been pitching that has cost them some games.

It's a very long season ...many teams over the years have gotten hot in August and September and ended up winning the pennant. We're still in July.

Let's stop talking playoffs. This team will be in solid 3rd place after this road trip and is fading fast. 4 Strikeouts for Gomez and it looks like he as well as all the rest have lost their plate discipline.

On paper, this team is a playoff contender; however, offensively, this team is too streaky; and they too easily go into hitting slumps, especially against good pitchers. Tonight was an excellent example; Cobb looks like Cy Young out there; granted, Tampa is red hot; but, if the Brewers are going to be a really good team this season, they need to beat good pitchers, and getting three hits in a game is simply not going to do it.

Your speculations will cool down after the Rays sweep the Brewers. The last thing this group needs is overconfidence that plays scared when the going gets tough. This group needs to stick to the basics. You can't be a sleepy head at first base and get thrown out (Ryan Braun). A lot of good pitches are going by the plate. Too many pitching errors. Get your head out of the clouds and back on the diamond.

We really should worry about making the playoffs first and foremost prior to debating whether they are built for a deep playoff run. My immediate concerns are they are too streaky offensively and while they can hit home runs their run scoring goes dry when the home runs stop coming. Still, it has been a good year considering most people never gave them a chance to get this far and hopefully they can make some moves to fill the holes necessary for them to improve.

Agreed. Not sure if they are built for a run to keep the division lead in July. Strong starts lately by Garza, Lohse, Nelson, and Gallardo and losses to show for it. Bullpen faltered a bit but lack of consistent offense is killing this team.

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